:This was a vote on confirming Joseph Martinez to be a U.S. District Judge in Colorado. Under the constitution, the president has the authority to nominate individuals for federal judgeships, but a majority of the Senate must vote in favor of their nomination in order for them to be sworn into office.

Sen. Pat Leahy (D-VT) urged support for this nomination: “President Obama nominated William J. Martinez to fill a…vacancy on the District of Colorado last February. Mr. Martinez is a well-respected legal practitioner in Denver who has the strong support of both of his home state senators…. Bill Martinez should now…be confirmed. When he is, he will become only the second Hispanic to serve Colorado as a district court judge.”

Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) urged the Senate to reject Martinez’ nomination: “Mr. Martinez is a long-time member of the American Civil Liberties Union. He has refused…to state whether he believes the Constitution of the United States prohibits the death penalty. That is his prerogative. He hid behind the answer that the Supreme Court says it is. But the ACLU [American Civil Liberties Union] holds to the view that the cruel and unusual punishment provision of the Constitution prohibits the imposition of the death penalty and, therefore, it is unconstitutional.”

The Senate confirmed Martinez nomination by a vote of 58-37. All 56 Democrats present and 2 Republicans voted “yea.” 37 Republicans voted “nay.” As a result, the Senate confirmed Joseph Martinez to be a U.S. District Judge in Colorado.